MONTREAL — Although Ryan O'Reilly did not practice Monday — one day after leaving Colorado's game early with a presumed injury — Avalanche coach Patrick Roy said his young star left winger will be in the lineup Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens.

That was the good news after the Avs went through a roughly one-hour practice at the Bell Centre.

The Avs might also get Paul Stastny back for the game, though Roy said that won't be determined until Tuesday morning. Stastny, out recently with a back problem, skated for the full practice.

The Avs will start J.S. Giguere against Montreal, and will give 27-year-old rookie Reto Berra the start Wednesday in Winnipeg.

Roy met a sizable contingent of Montreal media after practice, and reiterated that the game against his former team has not pre-occupied his thoughts lately.

But he said it is always nice to be back in the city in which he won two Stanley Cups as a player. He also noted a fan poll in the Montreal papers a couple years ago that had him at the top of the wish list to be the Habs' next coach.

"This organization has a lot of class. They put a lot of pride on the past, and they have a great past," Roy said.

"Two years ago, I could have had both jobs, coach and GM, if it were up to the fans. And I truly appreciate that. I thought that was a great gesture, and it made me feel good with the fans. It's not that I had doubt, but at the same time it was nice to see that the past was way behind us and everybody had moved on, and that they could see me as their next coach and GM. For the ego, I have to admit, it feels good."

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